Upgrade Recommendations- 45 AIO

[BirdGuy21]

Hey everyone,

I have had my 45 gallon JBJ AIO set up for about a year come November. A quick recap- purchased the tank as a used setup, about 3 years old. Replaced all sand and added new rock work in December. The tank has been on the back burner for a while due to other life issues, so nothing has been done to it besides water changes and glass cleaning. One good thing about having a tank sit fairly idle for about a year without much change is it has provided me the opportunity to see areas of improvement. I am realizing my used equipment that I am currently running is a major hindrance, so I am looking to upgrade starting with the pumps and powerhead.

Current Equipment:

1. 1 Ponics pump as return pump
   1. I am realizing this is barely producing any flow and need to replace. Options I've come across are the Tunze 1073, Syncra, and the stock JBJ returns.
2. Jebao OW-25
   1. Will at least need an additional OW-25 if I want to keep the same brand. Have read good reviews of the Gyre 1000, but also seems like some say it could overpower the tank and it would be better to have two smaller powerheads.

So any thoughts or recommendations? Tank has a long way to go but a fresh start with better filtration and flow would go a long way.

 

[BirdGuy21]

Also in regards to the powerhead. I can't seem to find a clear answer for the difference between the Maxspect and Icecap Gyre- any thoughts?

 

[Spare time]

Also in regards to the powerhead. I can't seem to find a clear answer for the difference between the Maxspect and Icecap Gyre- any thoughts?

-Sicce pumps are great for how quiet they are, but be careful not to get a pump too fast as all in ones can get drained in the back faster than the water can enter if the gph is too high.


- I prefer the icecap gyres as they are much cheaper and get the job done. Get the 1k

 

[BirdGuy21]

-Sicce pumps are great for how quiet they are, but be careful not to get a pump too fast as all in ones can get drained in the back faster than the water can enter if the gph is too high.


- I prefer the icecap gyres as they are much cheaper and get the job done. Get the 1k

Looking at the Sicce 3.0. Says it’s adjustable in the event that it becomes too powerful. I’m between this pump and the Tune 1073.05. The Tunze is DC so less power consumption and more controllable, but a bigger price tag. Don’t know if the benefits outweigh the cost.

Will be getting the icecap as well then, and just ordered two intank baskets.

 

[MichaelP121579]

I have a new new overflow skimz OB2500 if you need

 

[BirdGuy21]

Tempting, but that would be a little more upgrading than I had planned haha.

So far the plan is:

Tunze 1073.05
Icecap Gyre 1k
Tunze 9004 DC skimmer.

 

[Edman]

I'm also using the Icecap 1K and the Tunze 9004. Not so happy with the Tunze, thinking of upgrading.
Was thinking of going with one pump so I could have more space but decided to stay with two pumps
just in case one of them were to go out. Good luck with your new build.

 

[BirdGuy21]

I'm also using the Icecap 1K and the Tunze 9004. Not so happy with the Tunze, thinking of upgrading.
Was thinking of going with one pump so I could have more space but decided to stay with two pumps
just in case one of them were to go out. Good luck with your new build.

Haven't ordered the Gyre yet but I ended up going with the Tunze 9004 DC., should be here tomorrow. What in particular didn't you like about it?

 

[ingchr1]

Looking at the Sicce 3.0. Says it’s adjustable in the event that it becomes too powerful....

My tank is somewhat similar (Waterbox 40.2 AIO) and I'm running two Sicce Syncra 0.5 in parallel (for redundancy). It's possible the 3.0 may be too much flow for your tank.

If you know the flow of the stock pump(s), I would try to approximately match that.

Here's the spec sheet for the Sicce: https://media.cdn.bulkreefsupply.com/media/wysiwyg/PDFs/syncra.pdf

 

[Edman]

Haven't ordered the Gyre yet but I ended up going with the Tunze 9004 DC., should be here tomorrow. What in particular didn't you like about it?

It doesn't skim as well as I thought it would. I know most skimmers for AIO aren't very good,Perhaps I was expecting better performance. Having trouble getting my nitrates below 10. Gonna try an algae scrubber next.

 

[BirdGuy21]

My tank is somewhat similar (Waterbox 40.2 AIO) and I'm running two Sicce Syncra 0.5 in parallel (for redundancy). It's possible the 3.0 may be too much flow for your tank.

If you know the flow of the stock pump(s), I would try to approximately match that.

Here's the spec sheet for the Sicce: https://media.cdn.bulkreefsupply.com/media/wysiwyg/PDFs/syncra.pdf

Hmm good to think about. I’m actually now leaning more toward the Tunze 1073.05 DC- give me more control in case it’s too strong.

It doesn't skim as well as I thought it would. I know most skimmers for AIO aren't very good,Perhaps I was expecting better performance. Having trouble getting my nitrates below 10. Gonna try an algae scrubber next.

That’s came up in a couple reviews I’ve read. Definitely limited on space in back of the tank.
Skimmer arrived today and I have it set up in the tank. Hopefully I can get it dialed in and producing some good skimmate.